He secured third place, and since Saturday he has been journeying across the globe like a true champion, a headline-making arc worthy of Eurovision66. The edition that initially stirred his worst fears when the January Benidorm Fest performance sounded almost like a joke has become one of the brightest joys of his career. Even in the early hours, the crowd’s new queen walked into RTVE’s Prado del Rey studio to address journalists and participate in a press conference, fresh from a celebratory moment at the San Isidro festivities in Madrid. He spoke with conviction, addressing the controversy that questioned his candidacy and asserting that no one was being silenced by the team’s efforts.
“What we did on that stage did not come from magic; it came from hard work, energy, and a lot of enthusiasm. The final image would not have been so brilliant without the costumes, the sound, and the lighting that supported the performance”, the singer explained. He consistently credited the collective effort, the first-person plural as a driving force behind the success. The numbers tell a compelling story: the broadcast drew 7.7 million viewers, reached peak ratings of 70 percent, and maintained a 50 percent market share with more than 15 million total viewings. Online, videos exceeded 64 million views, a jump of nearly 1000 percent since 2021, placing the clips among the top performers with around 9 million views in the most watched segment. With that momentum, the singer simply floated on cloud nine, affirming confidence that the journey could continue to build.
The performer also made clear that past criticism about the nomination at Benidorm Fest did not shape her mindset. She described herself as a positive person who looks toward good outcomes. The team did not attempt to silence anyone; they focused on professionalism and the candidacy itself. Everything seemed to fall into place, though she hesitated to attribute any specific personal message to others involved, choosing instead to stay quiet and let the results speak. Notably, similar tensions surfaced when Italian media observer Christian Malgioglio commented that Chanel resembled a cheap imitation of Jennifer Lopez, a remark he later apologized for via video. The gesture of apology came with a bouquet of roses as a token of reconciliation. RTVE later clarified that data adjustments had been made in other contexts, and María Eizaguirre, RTVE’s director of communications, emphasized that the organization remained in contact with the contest, with Spain’s second place performance not in jeopardy. The consensus felt almost unanimous among supporters: we felt like winners.
The discussion then turned to comparisons with the Ukrainian entry, with the singer noting that victory for Ukraine carried a solidarity element beyond pure musical criteria. She shared that she woke up on the final day with the winning song in her head and acknowledged the talents of performers who share the stage. The mood of the press conference carried the usual celebratory energy, ending with a spontaneous moment of dancing as the day’s festivities carried forward. San Isidro proved not to be in vain; it became another chapter in a story marked by resilience and public affection, a moment that amplified the year’s Eurovision narrative for many fans and observers alike.